The Slovak populist majority adopted a controversial reform of the Penal Code in parliament on Thursday evening, despite criticism from the EU, the Slovak president and the opposition, which boycotted the vote.
The new law notably plans to reduce penalties for corruption and economic offenses in this country of 5.4 million inhabitants, a member of the EU and NATO.
In a 150-seat parliament, 78 deputies from the ruling coalition supported this law while the opposition did not vote.
The text, approved as part of an accelerated legislative procedure, also reduces the limitation periods for certain crimes, including rape, from 20 to 10 years.
From March 20, Prosecutor General Maros Zilinka will also have increased powers.
Slovakia's liberal president, Zuzana Caputova, immediately criticized the new law.
“The adoption of the amendment to the criminal code is bad news for Slovakia and all its citizens
,” she said in a statement.
“It is unacceptable that such serious changes in state penal policy take place without an appropriate legislative process
,” she stressed.
She announced
“consider all possible options (...) to prevent the entry into force of this law”
.
However, under the Slovak constitution, the presidential veto can be overridden by a simple majority.
Thousands of demonstrators
Demonstrations bringing together thousands of people were organized on Thursday in 15 Slovak towns, while a large demonstration was held in Bratislava the day before to protest against this reform of the penal code.
The EU recently came out against this reform project.
“We asked the Slovak government not to adopt these reforms.
And above all not to resort to an accelerated procedure without adequate and in-depth consultation of the parties concerned
,” a spokesperson for the European Commission declared in January.
The issue of penal code reforms could influence the outcome of the presidential elections scheduled for March.
Ten candidates are running in this election, the first round of which is scheduled for March 23.
Prime Minister Robert Fico's party, Smer-SD, will support the leader of the Hlas-SD party, president of parliament, Peter Pellegrini.